Combined vacuum-producing and boiler feeding apparatus



G. R. VAiL.

COMBINED VACUUM PRODUCING AND BOILER FEEDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, i919.

1,332,698. Patented 31211221920 3 SHEETSSPIEETI,

I (3 R. v'AlL I COMBINED V-ACUUMP RODUCING AND BOILER FEEDING APPARATUSv APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12. I919.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

ll IIIIIIL G. B.- VAlL. COMBINED VACUUM PRODUCING AND BOILER FEEDlNG APPARATUS.

i APPLlCATl ONflLED JUNE 12, 1919. 1,332,698.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3,

GUY RANDALL VAIL, F BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.

COMBINED VACUUM-PRODUCIN G AND BOILER-FEEDING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

Application filed June 12, 1919. srnn No. 303,701.

To all whom itmag concern:

Be it known that I, GUY R. VAIL, a c1t1- zen of the United States, residing at Battle Creek, in the county of Calhoun and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Vacuum- Producing and Boiler-Feeding Apparatus; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to low pressure steam heating systems in which steam is fed from a boiler or generator to a heatingsystem, and circulation of steam under low pressure is maintained in the system by producing a partial vacuum at the outlet end thereof; by which means the steam is circulated through the system and'the water of condensation withdrawn therefrom,

, and surplus water of condensation is returned to the boiler. a The apparatus in brief comprises a don blesuction pump casing of the centrifugal type, having two: separated inlet or suction openings and an intermediate discharge chamber; one of the inletopenings being connected by a pipe to a tank which is vented to the atmosphere, the other inlet of the pump is connected to the outlet end of the heating system; the discharge-chamber of the pump is connected to theltank by means of a pipe having a valve. A; fl oat inside of the tank controls the opening and closing of the said valve according to variations of the water level in the tank. Anotherr checkvalved pipe connects the discharge chamber of the pump to the boiler. Within the pump casing is a centrifugal pump impeller having two suction openings on its opposite sides or ends and a common discharge opening at its periphery. One side of the impeller acts to draw water from the open tank; the other side acts to draw air and vapor and Water from the return of the heating system.

I'n-"order to enable others to readily un ber 1.

ing understood that the invention is not restricted to the specific construction of parts illustrated in the drawings) and will,

then set forth in the claims the novel essentials of the invention and the novel combinations of elements and novel constructions f parts for all of which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the complete apparatus.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation ratus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial side elevation thereof, the pump being shown in longi tudinal vertical section.

Figs. 4 and 5 areenlarged sectional views of the pump-impeller.

As illustrated in the drawings I preferably employ a novel double suction centrifuof the appagal pump whose casing 1 has axially alined inlet or suction openings 1, 1 between which is a centrally disposed circumferen tial discharge chamber 1 having an outlet l Mounted axially of and centrally within the casing l is a double rotary impeller 2 ranged in similar groups, the channels in each group varying in length but all extending from the periphery of the impeller toward the center thereof; and the groups of channels are similar on opposite sides of the vertical center line of the impeller, so that the suction .will be practically alike on both sides. The channels in opposite sides of the impeller converge toward the periphery of the impeller and merge, adjacent the periphery thereof, in common channels 2 which discharge into the cham- The operating portions of the impeller are thus practically alike, on each end or face thereof, and the impeller is adapted to create asuction on both sides or ends and withdraw matter at its ends from the inlets 1 1 and discharge sameat its periphery into the chamber 1.

The impeller is mounted upon a shaft 3 which extends axiallythrough the casing 1 and the inlets 1, 1 and chamber 1, so as to properly position the impeller in the easmg.

The casing of the impeller may be of any suitable kind so constructed and proportioned that the impeller will run properly and create suction at both sides or ends and preferably discharge into a peripherally disposed chamber.

As shown the shaft 3 is provided with suitable stufiing boxes 3 at the outer sides of the casing and exterior to the openings 1 1", and the shaft bearings may be cooled and sealed by means of water introduced through pipes 3" connected by a short pipe 3 with the outlet chamber 1 of the pump as shown in Fig. 3.

The shaft 3 and impeller thereon may be rotated by any suitable means. Preferably I employ an electric motor M of any suitable construction connected to the end of the shaft 3 as indicated in the drawings; this motor being mounted upon the base 9 which supports the other parts of the apparatus.

The inlet 1 of the pump is connected by a pipe 4 with thelower part of a water tank 4, of any suitable construction, preferably mounted upon the base 9, which tank may be provided with a water gage 4 to show the water level therein. This tank is also connected by a pipe 4 to a pipe 1 which is connected with the outlet 1 of the chamber 1. Thus provision is made for a continuous or endless circuit of water from the tank through the pipe 4? port 1 to the left hand side of the impeller to and through chamber 1 and pipes 1 and 4" back into the tank.

The flow of water through this circuit may be controlled by a valve 4* of any suitable construction placed in pipe 4; and this valve may be automatically regulated by the water in tank 4 by suitable float-controlled means of any suitable construction.

As shown in Fig. 3 a float 5 in the tank has its stem 5 connected to a rock shaft 5" one end of which projects out of the tank througha suitably packed opening and carries an arm 5" which is connected by a link 5 to a valve-operating lever 5 which is operatively engaged with the stem of the valve 4" in any suitable manner, so that when the water in the tank is at the normal level the valve 4 will remain open, but when the water rises above a certain level in the tank the float will cause the valve to close; and thus the valve 4 will be more or less closed or opened by the action of the float, accordino to the level of the water in the tank.

. he pipe 1 is connected by apipe 1 with the boiler (not shown) at a point intermediate the valve 4 and the pump. A checkvalve 1 is placed in the pipe 1 to prevent back flow of water from the boiler to the pump chamber 1 or into the pipe 4".

The inlet port 1' of the pump is connected by suitable piping (not shown) to the return pipe or header of the heating system (not shown).

It will be obvious that when the pump is working the impeller will create a circulation of water from the tank to and through the left hand side of the impeller into chain'- ber 1; and thence under ordinary conditions back through pipe-J: to the tank. At the same time the right hand side of the impeller will tend to create a vacuum in the heating systel'n through the inlet 1; the aforesaid water circulation insuring the creation of'a partial vacuum on the right hand side of the impeller. The apparatus will thus tend to create a vacuum on the heating system and to return the water of condensation to the tank 4:.

Preferably I provide the right hand side of the-impeller with small perforations 2 connecting with the inner ends of passages 2 so as to admit water from the water filled chamber in the casing surrounding the im-' I peller. into the passages 2* at the air and steam suction side of the impeller. These apertures will permit pressure of fluid in the casing to enter the channels 2* at the right hand side of the impeller and insure the creation of suction in the heating system.

lVith this apparatus the impeller is always water sealed, and when it is started it operatcs'to circulate water in a closed circuit from the tank to and through the left hand side'of the impeller back to the tank, and simultaneously to create a suction on the right hand side of the impeller and in the heating system.

The water in the tank 4: should initially be at such a levelas to insure the opening of the valve 4*. The water from the tank primes the impeller, and water drawn from the tank is returned thereto in a continuous circuit. The water passing through the left hand channels 2 into and through the peripheral passages? of the impeller serves to produce suction in the right hand channels 2 Of the impeller which are also connected with the centrally disposed discharge passages 2", thus creating a partial vacuum in the heating system and the discharge of vapors or water of condensation from the heating system into thechamber-1 of the pump and thence into the tank.

As the water of condensation passes over into the tank the water gradually accumulates in the tank and thus raises the float therein, and this causes the gradual closing of the valve 4, which in turn causes the pressure to rise in the discharge chamber 1 of the pump. The impeller should be so pro- ,-automatic; and air, water and vapors are portioned and so driven as to enable it, if necessary, to accumulate sufficient pressure in the chamber 1 to force the excess water of condensation back into the boiler when the water in the tank rises above the desired level, and the valve 4 is closed by action of the float, or' closed to such an extent that all the water of condensation cannot pass back into the tank.

The impeller is preferably continuously driven, so that the action of the apparatus is withdrawn from the heating system and discharged into the tank, which is always open, so that there is no pressure therein, and any surplus water of condensation is returned to the boiler.

What I claim is.

1. In apparatus of the character specified, a tank; a double suction pump having two suction inlets and a single discharge one of the suction inlets being connected with the return of a heating system; a pipe connecting the other suction inlet of the pump with the tank; and a pipe connecting the discharge of the pump with the tank and means for controlling the return of water from the pump to the tank. I

2. In a combined vacuum producing and boiler feeding apparatus; a tank; a doubl suction pump having two suction inlets and a single discharge, one of said suction inlets being connected with the return of a heat-- in system; a pipe connecting the other suc tion inlet of the pump with the tank; a pipe connecting the discharge of the pump with the tank; and a valve in said pipe controlled by a float in the tank for regulating the return of water from the pump to the tank.

3. In a combined vacuum producing and boiler feeding apparatus, a tank; a double suction pump having opposite suction inlets and an intermediate discharge chamber, and a double rotary impeller intermediate the suction inlets adapted to draw from both the suction inlets and discharge peripherally into the discharge chamber, one of the suction inlets being connected with the return of a heating system; a pipe connecting the other suction. inlet of the pump with the tank; apipe connecting the discharge of the pump with the tank; and means-for controlling the return of water from the the tank;

4. In an apparatus of the character specified, a tank; a double suction pump having opposite suction inlets and an intermediate discharge chamber, and a double rotary impeller intermediate the suction inlets adapted to draw fluid from the suction inlets and discharge the'same peripherally into the discharge chamber, one of the suction inlets being connected with the return of a heating system; a pipe connecting the other suction. inlet of the pump with the tank; a pipe pump to.

connecting the discharge of the pump with the tank; and a valve in said pipe controlled by a float in the tank for regulating the return of water from the pump to the tank.

5. In apparatus of the character specitied, a tank; a double suction pump having two suctioninlets, and a single discharge, one of the suction inlets being connected with the return of a heating system; a pipe connecting the other suction inlet of the pump with the tank; and a pipe connecting the discharge of the pump with the tank and means for controlling the return of water from the pump to the tank; with means for connecting the discharge of thepump with a boiler, and means for preventing back flow of water from the boiler to the pump.

6. In a combined vacuum producing and boiler feeding apparatus; a tank; a double suction pump having two suction inlets, and a single discharge, one of the suction inlets being connected with the return of a. heating system; a pipe connecting the other suction inlet of the pump with the tank; a pipe connecting the discharge of the pump with the tank; and a valve in said pipe controlled by a float in the tank for regulating the return of water from the pump to the tank; with -means for connecting the discharge of the pump with the boiler at a point intermediate the valve and the pump, and a check valve in said means for preventing back flow of water from the boiler.

7. In a combined vacuum producing and boiler feeding apparatus, a tank; a double suction pump having opposite suction inlets and an. intermediate discharge chamber, and a double rotary impeller intermediate the suction inlets adapted to draw from both the suction inlets and discharge peripherally into the discharge chamber, one of the suction inlets being connected with the return of a heating system; a pipe'connecting the other suction inlet of the pump with the tank a pipe connecting the discharge of the pump with the tank; and means for controlling the return of water from the pump to the tank; with means for connecting the discharge of the pump with a boiler, and a check valve in said means for preventing back flow of water from the pump.

v 8. In an apparatus of the character speci tied, a tank; a double suction pump having opposite suction inlets and an intermediate discharge chamber, and a double rotary impellcr intermediate the suction inlets adapted to draw fluid from the suction inlets and discharge the same peripherally into the discharge -chamber, one of the suction inlets being connected with the return of a heating system; a pipe connecting the other suction inlet of the pump with the tank; a pipe conof Water from the pump to the tank; with a pipe connecting the discharge of the pump with a boiler, and a check valve for preventing back flow of Water from the boiler to the pump.

9. In apparatus of the character specified a rotary pump impeller having suction openings at opposite sides of its center, peripheral discharge outlets, and curved passages at opposite sides of its center leading from the suction openings to the peripheral discharge outlet, said impeller having apertures in one side Wall for permitting fluid from the exterior of the impeller-to-enter the sides of the adjacent passages, substantially as described.

10. In apparatus of the character specified a rotary pump impeller having suction openings at opposite sides of its center, peripheral discharge outlets, and curved passages at opposite sides of its center leading from the suction openings to the peripheral discharge openings, said discharge passages being convolutely disposed and arranged in groups of varying length; said impeller having apertures in one side ivall near the inlet ends of the passages for permitting fluid from the exterior of the impeller to enter the sides of adjacent passages.

11. In an apparatus of the character specified a rotary pump casing having opposite axially disposed inlet openings, and an internrediate circumferentially disposed discharge chamber; with a rotary impeller mounted in the casing between and disposed axially of the inlet openings and having suction openings at opposite sides of its center, peripheral discharge outlets, and curved passages at opposite sides of its center leading from the suction openings to the peripheral discharge openings; said impeller having apertures in one side near the inlet ends of the passages for permitting fluid from the exterior of the impeller to enter the adjacent passages.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signature.

GUY RANDALL VAIL. 

